Media Monitoring Reflects Growing Tensions During Pre-Election Period

On October 6 Georgian Civil Organizations presented the results of election media monitoring examining media performance during the 2016 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia. The media monitoring itself was supported by the European Union and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

“The 2016 Parliamentary elections in Georgia are the first in which the Association Agreement with the European Union is fully in force. Elections are always a test and Georgia has a great opportunity to consolidate the democratic gains achieved during the previous years. EU-UNDP media monitoring is a valuable tool to measure and highlight the media's contribution to this process. I am happy to note that the results show more balanced and informative media than in 2012,” said Janos Herman, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia.

Media monitoring reports covered the period from May 20 to September 25. Preliminary findings of the pre-election weeks, September 25 – October 5, reflect growing polarization and political bias in media coverage related to the increased political temperature before elections.

“Specific examples and analysis included in the media monitoring reports assist the media in performing its duties during elections, paying more attention to the cases of unbalanced coverage and hate speech. One of the most important goals of media monitoring is to stir proactive public discussion and contribute to establishing accountable and responsible relations between the media and society,” said Niels Scott, Head of the UNDP in Georgia.

Natia Liparteliani